On Saturday Dec. 2, Delaware Valley’s competitive cheerleading team took home the title of Hunterdon Warren Sussex Small Varsity Game Day champions.

“I am so excited that we won this past Saturday,” said senior captain Emelia Marinelli. “Del Val cheer has not won the Hunterdon Warren Sussex competition in many years, so it feels really great getting to win my senior year. Our team as a whole has put so much hard work into both of our routines, and all of the hard work is paying off.”

Each year a different school hosts the Hunterdon Warren Sussex competition. This year, the competition was held at Phillipsburg High School.

Several competing teams for both game day and traditional routines throughout the region participate in this competition.

Traditional cheerleading is all about entertaining the crowd. Athletes’ perform a two and a half minute routine composed of tumbling, stunting and a crowd engaging cheer.

Game day cheerleading is primarily about engaging the crowd. It gives teams the opportunity to demonstrate school traditions and reflect on what the team does on the sidelines. Both routines require hard work and dedication.

Delaware Valley has not taken home this championship since 2008.